NBA rumors: 5 potential destinations for Chris Paul

1. Miami Heat

With the players and elevated salaries to offer and match things financially, the Heat were considered the most realistic favorite to acquire Westbrook and a preferred landing spot for him. Then an apparent hesitancy to include Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro in a deal seemed to open the door for others, and the Rockets walked through it.

Miami got a deal done to bring in Jimmy Butler, but they pretty clearly want to form a name-brand, star backcourt. On the news of the Westbrook-Paul deal, however obviously, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski pointed to Miami as a landing spot for Paul.

As it reportedly was with Westbrook, at least at one point, Miami may be Paul’s preferred destination. The Rockets wanted to acquire Butler and make him their third star alongside Paul and James Harden, so it’s quite possible the two talked at that point and have already discussed teaming up with the Heat since Thursday night’s trade went down.

Here’s how a deal sending Paul to Miami could work.

Dragic’s role with Miami would go away with Paul’s arrival, and his expiring contract would become an asset for Oklahoma City. In lieu of sending a draft pick, the Heat would send Winslow to the Thunder.